12:00, 22 August 2009

In Azerbaijan, court accepts NGO's suit against Ministry of Justice on the fourth try

On August 21, after a triple rejection, the Yasamal District Court of Baku has accepted the claim of the NGO "Centre for Election Monitoring and Teaching Democracy" (CEM&TD) against the Ministry of Justice.

The hearing on this case was appointed on August 31 at 11:00 a.m., as reported to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Bashir Suleimanov, one of the founders of the CEM&TD.

The claim of the Centre demands to recognize as "illegal" the refusal of the Ministry of Justice to register this NGO and to blame the Ministry's actions as "violation of the freedom of association."

In particular, the statement of claim emphasizes violation by the Ministry of Justice of Article 58 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan ("Right to association") and Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights ("F freedom of assembly and association").

Mr Suleimanov said that in May-July, the Yasamal Court used various pretexts for a triple rejection to accept the claim against the Ministry.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent